Think:
Whoa. This story was intense. I think Jukichi Harada has such an amazing story because he fought so hard just to get a house. It's really cool how he was able to stay in the house, and that, no matter what he faced in that neighborhood, he stood tall, and fought for what he wanted.
Feel:
This story shocked me because I now know that the Asians went through a lot in order to feel welcome in the U.S. Harada's story just makes me cringe a little. Just the way he fought for the house motivates to fight for what I want in life.
Wonder:
This story makes me wonder how Jukichi's life would have been like, had he not been given the house on Lemon Street. I wonder if he would have gone back to Japan, or just tried harder to get the house.

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Dylan L

1/7/2015 10:00:54 am

Adrien, I feel you when you talk about Jukichi standing tall. I think that it is very admirable and he was an inspirational person.

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Kevin Stiemke

1/7/2015 10:53:16 am

I agree I thought it was amazing how Jukichi Harada kept fighting for the house even though so many o his neighbors were always trying to stop him.

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Emily Dingman

1/7/2015 11:32:20 am

I was shocked that he was able to keep his house, but I agree with you it was a great thing that happened to him. I am glad he got it but concidering the American Court system at the time I figured they would take it from him

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christian Klosterman

1/7/2015 02:51:23 pm

Yeah, I wonder what Jukichi would have done with his family if he had not won the house on Lemon Street.

Jenna Welsh

1/7/2015 08:55:27 am

I think that a lot of what Asian immigrants experienced at that time is similar to what a lot of Hispanic immigrants are experiencing today. They were the scapegoats of a competitive job market during an economically difficult time, and conversely they were subject to inaccurate, xenophobic hatred. I recently was reading an article on Escondido police holding DUI checkpoints in mostly Hispanic neighborhoods to try and catch people driving without a license, presumably because that person is here illegally. Of course, I thought that was horrendous, but a brief look at the comments section of the article revealed that my fellow Escondidoans did not feel the same way. The pure vitriol that spewed freely in those comments was pretty disturbing, and the sentiment was essentially the same as the Riverside community preventing the Haradas from moving into their home.

I found the “Property Value” section to be disgustingly fascinating. It amazes me that people will go to such great lengths to exclude others that they feel are inferior, and the fact that there was essentially an acknowledged loophole that allowed neighborhood segregation even after it was outlawed makes me sick. The most interesting piece of this, I feel, is that these segregated communities, though not legally sanctioned, still exist. Now that I think about it, there are only two families in my neighborhood who are not white, but the neighborhood less than a mile away is only Hispanic. I wonder why most neighborhoods did not fully integrate. I don’t think it would be a conscious decision, like it was back then, but I do not think it is an accident.

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Mikayla

1/7/2015 10:26:55 am

Interesting points on the similarities between Hispanics and Japanese. I would be interested to hear why you believe that targeting a statistically high rick neighborhood is wrong.

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chloe

1/7/2015 11:52:47 am

omg i love u both please fight about this in front of me

Kayla Feather

1/7/2015 09:28:17 am

Think: I think as a country we reacted without look at all the facts, without thinking of the true cost, and the moral injustice caused to the Japanese by the Japanese Removal Act. For people like Jukichi Harada, who only want to be "all American" lost everything. He work so long and spent so much time, money, and persisted to finally get everything he want. If we just spent that little extra time to make sure none was a threat and showed some human compassion then more people would have been happier and it would't have wasted the US time worrying about a problem that was blown out of proportion. I also think that the Japanese could have found a way or fought to keep their homes and lives.

Feel: He spent about half of his life by the time his family was forced to leave their lives, to just die in some camp behind barbed wire fence. I find that so sad and it make me sick, to see our government care so little about people who live here and call it home to toss them aside. Do we have no respect for others, or even our selves? Because acts like these and how we also treated other minorities, shows that we shouldn't be able to have be able to respect ourselves as a country by saying basically America knows best. I am just shocked to learn that we keep the same old habits and no matter how hard we try to quit one it comes back in another form.

Wonder: How did the Harada family get to keep their house when so many didn't? Why was it only the youngest daughter that came back to the house? When do we stop with picking on people we classify as "inferior"?

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Jenna Welsh

1/7/2015 10:22:10 am

Great point! It totally is true; no matter how hard we try, America always seems to mistreat somebody. Hopefully we can find a way to fix this at some point!

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Noah Parr

1/7/2015 09:29:56 am

After reading through this, I have to think of all of the families that had to have undergone things like this. Although his case was unique, Jukichi was still Japanese in America, making him an easy scapegoat, and an easy target for government and citizens to target.

As it said, even though they were doing nothing wrong, the adults called out slurs, and the children threw stones. I feel like even though what he went through, with his court struggle was unique, many Japanese and Japanese Americans could relate to what he was going through, with the unjust prejudice and racism.

His neighbors had even said that they were friendly, and good neighbors, so why would perfectly fine and hardworking people, who love the country they live in, be treated like dirt. I wonder why people who are potentially more patriotic than any Caucasian citizen, not even be aloud to join citizenship, and be treated like dirt.

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Dylan L

1/7/2015 10:03:07 am

Noah-- I was also wondering why people so patriotic get the opposite in return. I also think it's really interesting and smart that you mentioned that the Haradas were essentially a scapegoat. You're definitely right.

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Emily Dingman

1/7/2015 11:33:42 am

With every new racial segragation that we learn about, I also always think about how they felt and what they thought of when they where forced to do such things

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Shea Saulino

1/7/2015 09:52:29 am

Think: I think that there is a strong connection between all immigrants- most, if not all, immigrants come seeking better economic opportunities but end up with the reality that our United States faces the economic downfalls all countries do. I think that it's awful and we should, in Kayla's terms, "show human compassion." Thank you Kayla for saying that!

Feel: I feel that it's heartbreaking to know that Jukichi had to put the house in the name of his five and nine year old children. Children! It's awful that Jukichi could not even obtain a house without his children (in case you were wondering, Jukichi's children were US citizens which is why they were on the deed).

Wonder: Why did the Harada family ended up keeping their home? There were so many lost theirs, what made them different? How did they pull it off? And where did the other child go- the youngest daughter came back.

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Jenna Welsh

1/7/2015 10:23:33 am

I know! I think that it is so ironic that Jukichi fought so hard for his own children to have a comfortable home but died in an internment camp, the least comfortable place of all.

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Dylan L

1/7/2015 09:59:08 am

I thought that it was despicable how the entire neighborhood just ganged up on the family. And for no reason! They had done nothing but try to get a house on Lemon Street, and because of the racism, most of the entire neighborhood just immediately hated them.

I feel that it was absolutely saddening how they were treated, and that even after they won the freedom to their house, they eventually were forced into prison. It was also heartbreaking that Jukichi and Ken died there.

I wonder what would have happened to the family if they hadn't won the freedom to their house. Would they have tried to stay? Or move to a similar one? They don't seem like the kind to give up...

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Sarah Lockhart

1/7/2015 10:33:02 am

I agree with your wonder! I think they would persevere and try to find a similar house in a better neighborhood

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Grant

1/7/2015 01:33:04 pm

I agree it was really unfair.

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Jackson Sjogren

1/7/2015 10:11:36 am

Think
Jukichi was a very strong man and he stood up for what he believed in. I think it's ridiculous that America can betray it's own citizens like this and people are okay with it. It really showed how well propaganda use to work. The state laws put on immigrant farmers were completely unfair. These laws prevented farmers from owning land just because other american farmers were worried they would lose business.
Feel
I feel America can be the opposite of what it's supposed to represent sometimes and especially in this case. It's crazy to me that people in lemon street neighbor hood decide that they want Harada gone and try to kick him out of his own house. How could people be so ignorant as to yell at a child.
Wonder
I wonder why people started to think Harada was a possible threat even though he lived on lemon street. I assume just because America was in war with japan but shouldn't people try to really get to know these people before throwing allegations and rocks literally.

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Mikayla

1/7/2015 10:28:13 am

It is crazy to think that people believed Japanese children were serious threats.

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Alex de Villiers

1/7/2015 11:27:43 am

I have no idea either as to why people would think that a child would be a serious threat to their community.

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Michele Moua

1/7/2015 01:15:23 pm

War hysteria and fear have pushed people to oppress ad segregate their own fellow citizens. Its surprising how powerful emotions are.

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Alexis Miranda

1/8/2015 01:03:50 am

I also wonder why they saw the Harada family as a threat once they moved in. They could at least get to know them first.

Mikaya Kricfalusi

1/7/2015 10:21:55 am

Quote: "The Haradas' presence in the neighborhood had already eroded some of the ill will towards them."

Think: I think that a lot of the prejudice and anger towards the Japanese probably originated from the same propaganda that we were looking at in class. People that had probably never interacted with Japanese people now had their heads filled with slander and fear. Rather than evaluating Asian Americans as people like anyone else, the caucasian people in this recount only saw ethnicity.

Feel: I feel like it must have been very difficult for children growing up during this time, because they were being taught that their own merits paled in comparison to the shape of their face. Even though these people must have known that there was nothing about their features that made them truly less, these children must have developed misconceptions. I find it hard to believe that a fully functional human being could believe that a whole ethnicity is lesser.

Wonder: I wonder what the residents of Lemon Street thought about their changing conception of the Haradas?

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Sarah Lockhart

1/7/2015 10:34:32 am

Great connection to the propaganda we learned about in class! That wasn't one of the main thoughts I had so I'm glad you brought it up

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Christian Klosterman

1/7/2015 02:49:57 pm

I agree with Sarah, I liked the connection back to the propaganda techniques against the Japanese, and how that affected everyone's viewpoints on them.

Morgan King

1/7/2015 01:43:03 pm

I really did like the connection that you made to the propaganda, I really think that it was created because politically there was an advantage to having certain ethnic groups. To try and Answer your question at the end, I don't think the neighbors ever realized the different views that they had, as soon as they realized that the Haradas did not pose any threat, they moved on with their lives.

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Sarah Lockhart

1/7/2015 10:31:29 am

I think that all of the hostility towards the Japanese and other Asian Americans is inhumane! Some of the Harada's neighbors even said they were kind, good people. That makes me wonder how the white citizens could even have that much prejudice towards other racial groups when they will willingly say that there is nothing wrong with their character. And I also think that it's interesting that racial groups have a tendency to live separately, even today. This whole article made me feel disgusted with how unjustly our country would treat such good, hardworking people.

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Isaac Fernandez

1/7/2015 10:45:32 am

I think that's really true, because he did nothing at all to deserve what was given to him.

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Kevin Stiemke

1/7/2015 10:56:44 am

I agree a lot of racial do have a tendency to live separately.

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Kevin Stiemke

1/7/2015 10:49:15 am

I thought that it was crazy how the sixty people signed a petition for the family to leave neighborhood. They let fear lead to there decision to try to get them to leave, because they didn't want any other asians living in their neighborhood. I feel like it was mean, and cruel that they tried to kick them out of the neighborhood after they were split apart and living in internment camps for, so long. I wonder what would have happened if all of the people in the internment camps lied, and said that they were spies?

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Isaac Fernandez

1/7/2015 11:07:21 am

Yeah it's crazy how people can act two different ways.

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chloe r

1/7/2015 12:24:40 pm

agreed. That was indeed crazy kevin my dear.

Justin Reyes

1/7/2015 01:36:18 pm

I know thats crazy to think what would happen if a group or so were actually doing espionage

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Chenoa Levy

1/7/2015 07:10:27 pm

I think the history of internment camps would have been a lot more gruesome and dark if anyone admitted to being a spy.

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Isaac Fernandez

1/7/2015 11:06:23 am

Think: I think what Mr. Harada went through was terrible but does not surprise me. That might sound a little insensitive, but during those times America saw how other countries were treating American soldiers. I think that America felt like it's hands were tied, because they probably knew they had to do something or people in America would be angered that they were not. People during conflicts do not think the same as they would during a peaceful time.

Feel: I feel that the idea for putting Japanese-American citizens into internment camps. I feel like t would be really difficult is I was the same age and I was seeing this. Especially when it is a family like this, not doing anything to deserve what they got. I don't see how the people who knew them could just stand by and watch it happen.

Wonder: I wonder what they told the Japanese families when they asked when it would end.

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Alexis Habib

1/7/2015 12:03:25 pm

But then again, it wasn't solders of other countries that the U.S was locking up.

It doesn't surprise me either that they we're treated like that either. It's because it's happened in the past and anytime propaganda was thrown out there it was believed and taken to the extreme.

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camila antonorsi

1/7/2015 11:09:38 am

I think that it was the wrong move to make all of the Japanese and other asians move to the camps. They were mostly all loyal, hardworking people. Only because the US leaders were racist and did not have an open mind about them. I feel like the target of the prejudice people has changed, as in it it not only on one race. It is still a strong problem. I wonder if anyone in the higher ups of the decision making were at least a little against this idea of uprooting and movings thousands to small cramped camps?

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Alex de Villiers

1/7/2015 11:26:36 am

I agree, racism is still a very prominent problem that exists in America today.

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Michele Moua

1/7/2015 01:21:03 pm

I feel like the prejudice feelings towards the Japanese have been forgotten in the past years, its not something spoken of in the media nor in person.

However racism, still prevails today and mainly focuses on other aspects of specific different races, but we have almost forgotten the events that have taken place...interesting...

Alex de Villiers

1/7/2015 11:24:36 am

Think:
Moving all of the Japanese in America to internment camps was just about the worst decision the government could have made at the time. They let fear and racism control them so they could feel "safe" just in case there were any Japanese spies. I don't imagine that Jukichi was the only hard working patriotic Japanese person in America, so that means very many honest hard working people were imprisoned for no real reason at all. Also the racism that Jukichi had to face from the people in his community was disgusting, people were trying to force him out of his home just because he was Japanese.

Feel
I feel that this story is just another example that no matter what race it is or what year it is there will always be people in America that are extremely racist towards another group for one reason or another. This problem still exists today, with the immigration of Mexicans into the United States many people are resorting to racism and blaming immigrating Mexicans for all of the U.S. economic issues.

Wonder:
I wonder if this type of scapegoat racism will always exist in America or if my generation will finally be the generation that ends popular racism in this country.

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Tristan Elghoroury

1/7/2015 12:11:57 pm

Yes but the same applies to the Mexican immigrants of today. Where would we be without them? They help the US in soo many positive ways. It was the same with the Asian immigrants that built the railroads that the US soo greatly depended on.

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Lucas LeVieux

1/7/2015 03:09:59 pm

I think hatred is a constant. I don't think it will ever end. It's human nature to want to feel superior, and racism is the easiest way.

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Emily Dingman

1/7/2015 11:51:44 am

Think: I think that America is very hypocritical with any war it fights in or says it is against, we fight the Natzi's after hearing of the horror they committed to the Jewish community, but then we come back home and do the similar things to our own citizens. The Jew's were separated for religion, the Japanese - Americans were locked away for looks and from a horrible incident that they did not do.

Feel: I feel embarrassed that we did things like that, I feel embarrassed for America and all of the stupid, racist things it does and then decades past and it comes back with a simple "Sorry, Whoopsie, our fault". It is pathetic that the one country that was founded to bring freedom, and peace to those who needed it; defies that thought and goes against it.

Wonder: I wonder what those who thought of this country, thought of it after what they were put through. Did they see America as a bag of lies, did they understand their fear. I wonder what the thought about before and then after the effect that happened to them and how their country treated them.

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Alexis Habib

1/7/2015 12:04:57 pm

I agree, the U.S. is very hypocritical

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Rena Dillenbeck

1/7/2015 11:53:48 am

Think: Wow. This is a sad but inspiring story about how if you want something you need to fight for it. I think this story needs to be better known by everyone because just hearing and copying down facts isn't beneficial for anyone but reading a story and knowing experiences is so valuable even if you didn't go through it and you don't know anyone who did. I also think it was really so much of a wrong doing to deny that father citizenship, he was proamerica and even had a restaurant that was in the theme of america. I don't know about you but I think that alone is a valid reason to give the guy citizenship.

Feel: I feel like the father (I keep referring to him as the father because I already forgot his name) would be happy to see that the house is being considered to be made into a museum. That would be so cool! We should visit it if it did. I feel like those alien property acts were kinda nonsense like I get that you should be a citizen but at the same time like he tried to be a citizen and they denied him that right.

Wonder: I wonder if that place did get turned into a museum. That would be a cool field trip idea. I also wonder what happened to their kids and did those kids have kids of their own?

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Lucas LeVieux

1/7/2015 03:11:14 pm

Yeah! I'd totally visit that museum! It could be really cool.

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Alexis Miranda

1/7/2015 11:56:23 am

Think:
This story was really eye opening for me because it showed how Jukichi stood up for himself and his family. He was able to deny all the offers the other people gave him to move out of his house. I saw that as an act of bravery because anything bad could've happen to him at that point. Like when the kids from the neighborhood threw rocks at his children, that made me mad.
Feel:
I feel that Jukichi made an impact on other immigrant Japanese families that also had a rough time in the US. I hope there were others just like him that stood their ground to obtain their families and their lives.
Wonder:
I wonder how the Harada family would have been like if they never moved into Lemon Street.

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Hesham Hamed

1/7/2015 12:30:54 pm

I agree that without what Jukichi stood up for there would of been harder times for the Japanese because Jukichi was an inspiration to many Japanese Americans.

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Justin Reyes

1/7/2015 01:40:01 pm

I know like its crazy how he was one of the few that really decided to take a stand and take it to a whole new type of circumstance

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Alexis Habib

1/7/2015 12:00:40 pm

Think:
It is shocking to think the people living in the U.S. at the time would allow something sickly similar to the Holocaust to happen. It seems either no one or a very small amount of citizens made connections between the two and felt the need to help the Japanese. I understand fear is powerful, but it certainly should not be so powerful that we have to lock up a whole race of people because of it.

Feel:
This is insane! I can't possibly accept that there were any people who at least had some logical thoughts go through their head in positions if power at the time. I don't see any traces of the German Immigrant population locked up on mass! Or Italians for that matter.

Wonder:
I wonder how it would of all played out if the potential neighbors of poor Mr. Harada didn't raise such a fuss.

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Tristan Elghroroury

1/7/2015 12:09:25 pm

Yes I agree it is totally wrong what the US did to the Asian immigrants. It is the exact thing that they were trying to stop when they entered the World War!

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Hunter Birk

1/7/2015 02:08:52 pm

I disagree with your comparison to the holocaust, I think that they share some similarities.But there motivates and outcomes where completely different, the nazi's where motivated by anger and embaresment over loosing World War 1 and needed scapegoat, the internment camps where motivated by fear. The United States where fearful that there where Japanese spies living within U.S. but never intended to wipe out a whole group based on religion or ethnicity.

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Chloe Rice

1/7/2015 12:01:17 pm

Thinking: Well at first I thought this was house on Mango street but you accidentally said yellow, and than I realized it was a spin-off playing on the themes of home ownership for immigrants. I've lived in the same house for as long as I can remember, and so I don't think i understand that prayer for a better home, and the dream that accompanies that prayer. Reading this makes me think about how blessed I am to be an american with a home.
Feelings: When confronted with human suffering, I often feel sadness. All of us are capable of being cruel, and that's sad to think about.
Wonder: I wonder how close we were to being like the concentration camps.

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Mrs. Clark

1/8/2015 05:41:45 am

"The House on Lemon Street" :)

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Tristan Elghoroury

1/7/2015 12:06:42 pm

I think that it is amazing and sad how the Asian races were soo descriminated against even though without them almost nothing would have gotten done. They built the railroads upon which this country expanded itself from sea to shining sea.
I felt relieved and happy when I read that the courts ruled in favor of the Asian family. In history there have been soo many similar cases where the immigrants were ruled against by even the Supreme Court. This was always very unjust.
I wonder what would have happened if the US had not had the Asian immigrants to do all of the hard labor. Who would have done it all? Other immigrants? Poor white people?

I really like how you wrote about the american dream, because it is so true about how much labor they did for the country.

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Morgan King

1/7/2015 01:48:48 pm

It's interesting that you posed that last question to ask how our present would have been different, without immigrants to do the labour. I think that the states could have ended up with a different history, but to imagine such a thing is harder then to assume they would have found a different race, a different way.

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Nicole King

1/7/2015 12:07:41 pm

Think. Feel. Wonder.

I think that they were right to not give up there house and still live there life even though all the Americans wanted them gone. They never gave up. The point that struck me was they got that far and all they wanted was to become a citizen but America wouldn't allow it.Which was not fair because he lived in America, he knew the language, he participated in all the holidays but he was still denied the citizenship. I wonder what would of happened if the Japanese were given citizenship and a healthy place to stay. Because they came here, like most people to have a better life, and yes they probably did have it good but he lost his five year old son because of the bad conditions they were living in. I think that it was bad for Americans to make them live like that and treat them the way they did. Because there still people and not every Japanese is bad. That is why most of them came here, for my freedom and for a better life for there children. How are they going to have a better life here, when Americans make them live in these horrible conditions? I think it wasn't fair for these Americans to make them live in a bad neighborhood where there's no fresh air, and when they are taken away there own freedom in a way.

I think Jukichi Harada had every right to defend himself and his family against the riverside community because legally his children are americans. I wouldn't even call putting his children name on the deed a loophole when its part of the system and all the white people could have done it. I'm glad that some people stood up for Jukichi and even the people that we're against his family from moving into the neighborhood had absolutely nothing to hold against him. Which is great because testifying that there was really nothing wrong with his family shows that there no different from anyone else besides skin color, beliefs, and culture.
I feel that even without Jukichi someone else would have made a stand and would have succeeded, because it would only show how much people are persuaded by the easiest ideals. Especially when there wrong and they just believe because someone politicly powerful told the citizens that because there from japan there only loyal to japan.
I wonder why that only after President roosevelt took down the camps that people started to realize there was no problem and that are just as normal as all other americans.

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Hesham Hamed

1/7/2015 12:26:45 pm

I think that the Haradas were a strong and patriotic family that loved America even though they were treated badly. It is not surprising that him and his family were treated like that because many of the Americans were racist and they wanted an all white country. Because of this many different races of people were treated very badly.

I feel that Jukichi held on to his rights in the best manner as possible by being a great neighbor, even the lady that wanted the Harada's gone had nothing bad to say about them. They never had a negative impact on the neighborhood and they were all positive even though one of their sons died. I feel like they way they were treated was horrible and that stories like these need to be passed on so an injustice like wont happen again.

I wonder if the Japanese families got something more than 20k in return for being in those camps. I wonder if some of those families even got the promised 20k for bening in the camp.

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Abby Elliott

1/7/2015 02:36:36 pm

Godd question! No amount of money can make up for the horror these people experienced.

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Nicole Matteson

1/7/2015 02:53:57 pm

I find it wonderful that despite the community around him and his family, he sacrificed so much for his families well being and that he did not let his racist and negative environment affect his morality

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George Downey

1/7/2015 07:39:43 pm

The flimsy 20k number people toss around is defiantly not reliable and is hardly a reasonable compensation for the restriction of rights.

I find it weird that America, the land of the free, considers it ok and just to confiscate the freedom of others, even though they originally founded their country on the resulting protests from those sort of injustices. How quickly the tormented become the tormentor. And for this they offer meagre compensation and an apology delivered many years too late to mean anything to the long dead people who truly lived through it like this family did.

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Chandler Gaines

1/7/2015 12:35:20 pm

I think that this whole Japanese racism thing is sad. I thought it was crazy how the family was treated just because they wanted tp live on lemon street. We really took patriotism to a different level and it ended up making us look foolish. I feel that this was unrighteous and uncalled for. This was there own country just as much as it is ours. They had rights and putting them into internment camps was quite possibly the worst thing that we could have done. I wonder if the japanese were happy with just 20k payback? Was that worth it to them, losing time and life circumstances all for 20k?

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Grant

1/7/2015 01:29:36 pm

I agree with you I dont think 20k makes up for the stress and loss of freedom.

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Emily Hayashida

1/7/2015 02:03:44 pm

If it were me 20,000 would be nothing to me, and I wouldn't take the money but would accept a sincere apology. Personally I think that accepting the money would give the message that they lack dignity and could be bought and opinions swayed by anything. Nothing could make up for the harm caused and the properties, businesses, and livelihoods lost.

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Kaeli Leoni

1/7/2015 03:13:42 pm

I agree, the $20,000 wouldn't even compare to everything that they had lost during their time at the camps. I don't know what would make up for such a tragic event honestly.

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Edwin Herrera

1/8/2015 12:05:05 am

True that was bunk, 20k , money or materialistic things can mend a broken heart, but only time #eddie2k15

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Grant

1/7/2015 01:26:11 pm

I think that putting all Japanese into internment camps was really unfair. This story gave a perfect example of why it was. It basically showed that most of these people were very loyal and hard working. I also think if this didn't happen a lot of good could of come out of the different shops and hard work these people would have been able to put in.

I feel like the people who were in charge of the making the decision to build internment camps didn't think about it too much. I think this because it almost seems like they stereotyped a whole group of people as untrustable and unloyal.

I wonder how life would have been different if these camps did not exist. I also wonder if these camps had any positive effects on america or anyone s life.

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Hunter Birk

1/7/2015 02:04:27 pm

Do you think that the people in-charge of the internment camps also thought about what would happen if they dint put everyone into the camps? I agree that it was very it was unjust to stereotype a whole group as unloyal or not trustworthy but was the possibility of catching the one or twos spies within the whole group worth it?

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George Downey

1/7/2015 07:32:53 pm

I almost think that the camps weren't entirely motivated by the practicalities of war and the finding of spies. I think that part of it was a reinforcement of the "us vs them" mentality and the satisfying of the public opinion that the Japanese where the enemy in the eyes of the public. In the eyes of those who did not like the Japanese it would be pretty disruptive to the public dislike of the Axis Power if people who lived next door and around our neighborhood looked just like them, and from this sprung a monstrosity of opinion fueled limitation of rights.

Justin Reyes

1/7/2015 01:27:02 pm

Think: America was too hostile with the Asian-Americans so that gave Jukichi Harada the right to defend his family against the neighborhood community. It was astonishing how they forced them to move into internment camps and most of the Japanese were hard, innocent, diligent workers.

Feel: It was heartbreaking to hear how they were treating his family and along with the other Japanese families. I mean at this point they were granted their freedom, and they already envisioned how great their lifestyle would be. Instead they were shortsighted and ended up living a prison lifestyle.

Wonder: I mean most of the Japanese-American citizens were completely loyal to the U.S. since they played such a huge role with agriculture/transportation. I wonder what they're views were towards the U.S. after the fact of being held in internment camps.

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Matt Rose

1/7/2015 11:21:29 pm

I would feel like some of the immigrants would just leave the United States, but most still believe they can make a stable life and possibly hit that "American Dream"

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Alexis Miranda

1/8/2015 12:53:47 am

I also wonder what the Japanese thought about the US once they were sent to internment camps, because before they loved the US for the opportunities they had to obtain their families.

Morgan King

1/7/2015 01:35:35 pm

I think that it is very saddening to hear stories, historical testimonies that brings down the image that the government strives to build for the rest of the world to view in awe. However, I think that when the truth is revealed of the injustice committed by people who knew no better, who truly thought the things they did at the time, acts as lessons for the rest of the world to learn. To learn to meaning of compassion, the act of extending friendship.

I feel that as time continues to move forward at the speed it travels, more of these events will be written into the eye of the public, for people to know the truth. Having read this, I felt a disconnection to the society back than. My initial feelings was, "oh that was horrible, what happened, but I'm glad that I won't go through life with those scenarios around me." But then I realized how far we are from having this be true. I feel that things happen, some good, some tragically horrible. Events that can affect thousands of people or only one person. They happen for a reason, and we have to figure out why for ourselves. I feel that while actions, like what I read in this story continue. It is a multiplying effect, more people learn something.

I inevitably wonder why people can act the way they do, go to great lengths to "protect" all that they know. I wonder why so many people make negative assumptions about other people without actually knowing who they are. I'll be honest, I'm guilty of doing this, I've done it the past and I have no doubt that I will continue to do it by accident in the future. But ultimately, my biggest question, that even though so many people learn and strive to be better. Why do so many more people try to erase what they had committed, rather than putting that energy to moving forward as a much more knowledgeable person?

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Nicole Matteson

1/7/2015 02:06:55 pm

I believe many actions human beings choose to take is often out of fear. They fear so much because it is easier to be afraid than to be optimistic. People are too easily influenced. One quote can change their whole way of thinking. And this can also be applied to scenarios; one event can change the whole way a witness thinks. Its often first reaction. When all the lights go out in a room, the first thought is often "I can't see" so they'll base their opinion on the absence of light as negative.
As for erasing, many political figures and people of international celebrity status care about their appearance - how they come off, how they appear to the public. This is understandable being that human beings are easily influenced, if they saw someones mistake they would expand on it, make parodies, make a bigger deal than it needs to be all for social reasons. Its messed up and unmoral. But its also inevitable

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TJ Accardi

1/7/2015 01:41:13 pm

Think:
This was quite the intense story, though less focused on Japanese internment than I thought. What struck me was how during the trials his neighbors that had hated him weeks before now were saying good things about him. In the end he won anyway which struck a really good blow to the racial inequality running rampant at the time.

Feel:
I felt sad that none of his family was alive to see his house become a landmark and see the fruits of their labor. At the same time I feel ashamed that my race was picking off people and filing court cases for stupid reasons like the supposed "asian invasion" that was happening to properties in the western US.

Wonder:
I wonder what the general white opinion stigma was that forced them to automatically hate everyone and their mother for not being white. What was stuck in their heads so hard that they couldn't just believe in racial equality like we do (for the most part) now? Granted we have our issues but the majority of Americans know that scientifically, metaphorically, and literally all races are equal. What were they thinking?

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Emily Hayashida

1/7/2015 02:00:12 pm

I also thought it was going to be more directly about the actual Japanese internment so I was surprised when I started to read the text. I really like the second to last question that you wrote about under wonder. It is very thought provoking and I like the use of scientifically and metaphorically because it leaves the reader to formulate their own opinions and answer to the asked question.

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emily hayashida

1/7/2015 01:56:59 pm

Think: I think the hardships that the Harada's went through were unjustified. It amazed me how fear of the unknown quickly turns to hate. I was also amazed at the fact that while he was so patriotic and could speak english he was still unwanted by his community.

Feel: I feel that what happened was unjust. The Harada's in the end were the bigger people when they did not violently retaliate against any neighbors. I also feel that the US is quite hypocritical in the case of Japanese internment, because if this was to happen in another country during a war the US would interfere because it is morally wrong.

Wonder: I wonder if it will ever be possible for the human kind to eradicate racism and the scapegoats that are associated with races? What will it take for them to be eradicated? When will the general population learn that we are all human, equal as individuals, and have something to offer to society?

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Jack Campbell

1/7/2015 02:36:58 pm

I really like what you said about how fear of the unknown turns to hate, that was really present during this time

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Hunter Birk

1/7/2015 02:00:17 pm

I think that growing up in America Jukichi, saw the life style he wanted for him and his family. He was determined to be a model citizen because he wanted to be American, he wanted his children to be American. I think that growing up in a place where you don't feel welcomed or don't feel at home would be very difficult. Especially for children. I feel as if Jukichi is trying to accomplish an impossible goal. He wants so bad to be a citizen, to be someone who matters and for his kids to have the same oppurtunity as other "American" kids. I wonder why Jukichi would want that for his family, why would you want to stay in a place you don't feel welcome? I would be much inclined to move my family somewhere safer for Asian-Americans, more opportunity and a sense of respect.

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Abby Elliott

1/7/2015 02:34:16 pm

Jukichi is a class act- he is a fighter in the best way. Bless him.

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Jack Campbell

1/7/2015 02:36:02 pm

I agree and felt the same way about their rejection form regular society.

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Edwin Herrera

1/8/2015 12:02:51 am

I am 2 somewhat confused on why he would want to be citizen when they treat him so poorly. but maybe he is just hoping that one day things will change 4 the best.

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Abby Elliott

1/7/2015 02:30:23 pm

Think: I think that Harada’s actions displayed intelligence when he found a loophole in the Alien Land act. He figured out a way to get what he needed-a home in a safe neighborhood. He stood up for his home and made sure no one would take it from him. Once they got settled, I believe even his neighbors enjoyed having his family’s company in the neighborhood.

Feel: I feel saddened by the way Harada and his wife died behind barbwire fences. They deserved more than that. They both worked super hard and had nothing to do with the Japanese bombing in Hawaii. I find it sad how the USA treated these people who had done nothing against their country of residence.

Wonder: I wonder how many innocent people died in the camps just from being unfed and mistreated. Are these statistics even known to the public today?

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Jack Campbell

1/7/2015 02:33:54 pm

Think: After and while reading this, I did not understand why the united states government would not allow for people who deserved to be American citizens, such as Jukichi, no be naturalized. I think that immigrants with similar morals and ambitions should have the opportunity to become citizens. Especially after service in the navy and such patriotism. However the government and citizens felt that they were unamerican based on their looks.
Feel: I feel that the united states as a whole went through a dark time while this was happening. People who were just as and even more fit to be an american citizen and patriotic were rejected because of their ancestry. I feel that this was a major injustice.
Wonder: what kept Jukitchi and his family so patriotic, even after being rejected from citizenship?

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Kaeli Leoni

1/7/2015 03:09:05 pm

I agree, I think it was wrong of the U.S. to deny Jukichi citizenship especially considering his background and obvious loyalty to America.

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Matt Rose

1/7/2015 11:20:13 pm

Yes, your wonder was similar to mine, the way he was treated, if I was in that situation I would not want to stay in that country

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Christian Klosterman

1/7/2015 02:48:21 pm

I feel really sad thinking about how unfair the treatments were to the Japanese, and even all the Asians at the time being discriminated against. I am deeply saddened by how most Americans treated the Japanese people, as my mom's side of the family is Asian and if they lived during those times, they would have had to endure the same cruelty.
And although this story made me angry, I thought it was amazing that no matter how many setbacks the Hurada family actually had, they took a stand and worked hard to earn equality. Even after they were discriminated against, Jukichi Harada wouldn't cave in and leave, instead he stayed put and worked hard to allow his children to grow up in a home with a small backyard where they were able to play outside and have fresh air.

I wonder how fearful the kids felt growing up in a neighbourhood that did not want them there. It must have been terrible and I can't imagine having little children having to deal with constant hatred towards them and their family.

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Nicole Matteson

1/7/2015 02:50:23 pm

Think:
Based on today's lesson about propaganda, I came to the conclusion that human beings are too easily influenced. I also thought of William Shakespeare's quote from Romeo and Juliet "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet". A human by any other skin color does not immediately have preset desires or opinions or backgrounds. Yes there is ethnicity in the world and yes there are religions and opinions that make every human on earth different from one another, but we are all part of the Human Race. We are undeniably together in this sense. I think America forgot this very important key concept during the Japanese "migration", and I am not totally convinced they did this out of the "greater good of America". HOWEVER i thought it was beautiful when the family won the case and got to keep their house. Also how their neighbors claimed the Japanese family as good neighbors and kind. I thought it great how their house is now well known because we should not deny the beauty in any dark stage of life.
Wonder:
I know that black in the old english dictionary was referred to dirty, unpure, dark, and in a simplistic way "bad". But there wasn't any information i saw in learning of racism against asians about their color. Eye shape and body structure i can see differences compared to the average white guy, but how could we really conclude that someone is less than another because of their physical characteristics? I wonder if that was any bit the case. Also I wonder if it came across any of the minds of white americans trying to find work that they should step up their game to get the jobs rather than forbid different races to get their jobs. Also if the US even caught ANY spies from the Japanese "migration"
Feel:
I feel the reasoning behind each side of the story. I understand the American governments panic and wanting no chance of harm done to their country by war or spies. But then they ended up harming their countries morality and gave other countries something negative to talk about while discussing America. Many things will be done out of fear. But fear is just False Expectations Appearing Real.

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Kaeli Leoni

1/7/2015 03:07:22 pm

Think: I think Jukichi along with many others of Japanese decent living in America had very similar views on their feelings towards America. Most of them were born in America, and even if they weren't they were still exceptionally proud to live in the U.S. yet still the government would not trust them just because of their backgrounds.
Feel: I feel very confused how in any way this seemed right to anyone at the time. I am a quarter Italian yet I'm not at all loyal to Italy or their views. In fact I hardly even know anything about Italy. I feel that if the government officials really thought about this whole deranged idea and reflected it back to themselves they would see its flaws and realize how astonishingly wrong they were.
Wonder: I wonder what America would look like if this even hadn't taken place and how so many people joined the bandwagon of hating the Japanese. It just shows how mindless these people were and how easy it is to manipulate a population.

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Lucas LeVieux

1/7/2015 03:07:32 pm

"...the love Jukichi Harada felt for America was not returned by his adopted country."

The idea that America was (is?) a hate machine to the immigrants is what seems most remarkable to me. These are the people that are most appreciative of the American freedoms, yet are persecuted because they lack superficial qualities.

I will never be nearly as patriotic as Jukichi. I like my country; I have pledged my exclusive allegiance. But it is much more likely for me to be a spy than any of the Haradas. In all other matters, they seem to be exemplary citizens, but their skin color immediately disqualifies them from Americanism.

I am a straight, white, middle class male from a large protestant family. I am what america wants, aren't I? I will never know what it's like to be persecuted from these easy labels. It's hard to imagine people looking at me odd without knowing me; it's hard to imagine being shipped off to my own little prison just for people that look like me.

Unrequited love is a tragic thing. Jukichi loved something that was so unjust to him. I could have never done that, and I have little doubt that many Japanese were bitter about this whole thing. And mutual bitterness is bad, I guess. But the fact that Jukichi still loved america after all is heartbreaking to me. We let him down.

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Piper Tompkins

1/7/2015 11:23:12 pm

I really like the quote you chose, it really embodies the whole reading.

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Ryan Cormack

1/7/2015 03:27:22 pm

Think: After learning about the camps that the Japanese were sent to in class, it is so hard to believe that the US would put their own people into camps very much like camps that corrupted countries put their people into.

Feel: This story made me feel even worse after following a family through the struggles of creating a life here, only to have it all taken away and destroyed when "evacuated". It was also terrible to see how they were treated when trying to buy a house in a nicer neighborhood.

Wonder: I wonder how the US could really categorize an entire race as being disloyal even though most of their lives were built here as well as their childens lives. The quote "...describes his father as someone who oozed red, white and blue" struck me because they were just as loyal and patriotic as any white person, yet were taken away based only on where they came from.

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Eli Murguia

1/7/2015 04:20:43 pm

Think: Daaaang... that's just such a heart felt story. I think that looking back at what we have been learning in class this goes back on how easily we can be swayed into thinking that certain actions are acceptable because of the heavy amount of sugar coating that is being layered over the truth. I also just find it kind of sad that events such as this is a reoccurring theme with American History. No matter what you do, if you are not an average white male then maaaanny things can be subject to happen to you. Why? Because America went through dark times when the things that you did, the accomplishments that you have achieved, or even how patriotic you may be, you will be judged on your gender and the parents you have and the facial features that you are born with. How cruel is that?

Feel: Yeeeeeeeeesss! I felt so happy finding out that they were actually going to be able to keep the house. The entire time I was feeling like they were going to be swindled, or taken advantage of and this is going to be another sad tale of the unfortunate events surrounding these innocent people. But they won the case! It really made me feel like even though so much bad can happen around you, there can always be good if you stand up and fight for it like this family did. At the same time though I just despise how much hardship it took for this family to be able to get to that point. No one deserves to be stripped of their job, their home, and most importantly their freedom/individuality.

Wonder: Why is it that when chaos and terror installed in every victim to America's ruthlessness goes undisturbed? I can understand that there were the 7 types of political propaganda tactics, but did no one really notice how much damage was really done and how fake their cover ups sound? Why did no one step in?

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Kendall Tally

1/7/2015 04:26:41 pm

Think: I believe it is safe to say that most of us think the whole situation was entirely unfair and the amount of fear based racism was plain gross, despite such a thing continuing today. I don't think I'll ever be able to understand such a mindset, how anyone can feel such baseless fear and hatred.

Feel: It didn't exactly feel good when Jukichi's poor kid died, or when that Cynthia woman immediately started a committee to drive them away without even knowing the family. I certainly had a few choice words in mind for her when that was introduced. On the other hand, It felt pretty good when the Haradas won the lawsuit and got to keep their house. How all their neighbors who had started trying to get them out ended up testifying how nice they were as people. It was short lived of course, since I knew exactly what was coming next. The worst part of it all was that Jukichi and Ken had to spend their final days in essentially a prison. Someone who was "more patriotic than any American citizen" imprisoned by the very country he expressed so much love towards. Something that I don't feel the America of that time deserved.

Wonder: That last part just makes you want to know "how?". How could someone who names their restaurant after George Washington, wholeheartedly celebrate the fourth of July, and even cook for the crew of a navy ship be any less a citizen, of a person, than any random white person who doesn't even give a thought about the very country they were born in?

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Mrs. Clark

1/8/2015 05:45:31 am

I love your thoughtful reflection!

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Nadir Ortega

1/7/2015 04:35:51 pm

Think:
I think this story is a fine example of the kindness that can be expressed by individuals that (as we can see in the present) can go such a long way even in history. The smallest acts of kindness turned heads and eventually turned an entire nation around and that is beyond inspiring.
Feel:
I feel devastated, really. Right now I would consider myself and my family to be extremely fortunate to be accepted pretty well considering that around 40+ years ago, maybe we wouldn't have been because of our ethnicity. There's something that always lingers in the back of my mind, though, and that is the unbearable and painful thought that somewhere sometimes in history, these exact acts of prejudice occurred and someone decided to stand up for it, but it didn't turn out to be a peaceful resolution, but rather a torturous or excruciating consequence. That may be still happening today.
Wonder:
I wonder how different life would be if no one would stand with the other ethnic groups, if no one bothered to say something against beating down on someone else because of the color of their skin or the way they choose to live their life. How different my life and my family's lives would be.

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George Downey

1/7/2015 06:02:10 pm

Jukichi's love of his country, coming from one who came into this country rather later than most, is most defiantly an action which singled him out as American at heart if not by law. The fact that sheer hatred attempted to defy the beautiful reality of a father trying to make better for his children in the country he loved is astonishing.

I see Jukichi's love for the US and it reminds me of my middle school time, when people would occasionally be "over patriotic" around me, particularly in US history class. "F*** Yeah, America" was about as common as "Have you done you homework?" in that class and even the teacher occasionally pumped his fist and during the revolutionary war unit repeatedly said "We showed you British".

And yet despite Jukichi and his family being patriots, nice people, hard workers, and having the same incentive for coming to the US as the founding folks themselves, they were denied legal rights under a law bred from human fear of the unknown. The almost inherent "mystery" of the Asia cultures at the time, brought about by ignorance on the American continent, fostered a fear that grew and became rationalized, ruined the lives of thousands and then only later was weakly apologized for.

I personally wonder how American citizens would have been treated by the Japanese if their roles reversed. Not to say that they would or wouldn't have acted like the Americans, but I'm curious as to whether the same resentment of the other was present after the short space of time that Asia had really began integration into the American world.

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Chenoa Levy

1/7/2015 07:09:10 pm

Think: I think Jukichi was a great example of what life is like for most immigrants coming to America that aren't the stereotypical more accepted white Europeans. Most com to America for jobs, opportunities and a chance to improve their life, however they are often discriminated against and held from the rights they were initially promised.

Feel: I feel it was very brave of Jukichi to stand his ground and fight for the right to the house. There are many people who may have been persuaded to take the money, but he was instead trying to make home for his family. After losing his, and trying hard to support his family, all the while people are desperately trying to push them out must have been very hard for them to handle, and I feel it shows how much spirit they had to be able to win the case and keep the house.

Wonder: I wonder how so many Japanese-Americans were able to have patriotism to a country that hated and wanted them gone so much. America clearly wasn't giving back the appreciation, so whats the point of trying so hard to show patriotism.

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Vanessa I

1/8/2015 12:20:25 am

i thought that was also very brave of him to stand for his rights and he just didn't do it for himself but he was mainly thinking about his family.

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Michele Moua

1/7/2015 09:01:31 pm

THINK: I dont think that most people would have ben able to go through what Jukichi has gone through. He practically started from nothing and has worked his way up to some financial stability and is able to live in seemingly comfortable living conditions. When he moves into the new neighborhood, he was immediately rejected. Peer pressure itself is a powerful things that can play on a persons emotions quiet powerfully. And the fact that he was able to withstand all of the mockery and hurtful language of his neighbors amazes me.

FEEL: In all honesty I feel inspired by Jukichi's amount of self respect and determination. He is clearly an underdog in his community, but that doesn't stop him from getting what he rightfully deserves and has earned through his hard work. Its also interesting how he is not a US citizen and is denied citizenship just because he was not born with in the united states, but he still shows his large amount of partiotism, love and loyalty to the states; even though they have rejected him.

WONDER: I feel like the mockery and racism towards the Japanese has died down, I practically never see nor hear about any negative statements or gestures towards the Japanese today. However, racism is still alive and thriving today. For example, there is still a lot of negative prejudice towards US's african american citizens. Of course that has died down dramatically in the past century and I wonder if one day the racism will just die and be forgotten, like with the Japanese or will always be around, just weaker.

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Eamonn McGuiness

1/7/2015 11:15:44 pm

Think: I think it is interesting how he shows more patriotism then most U.S. citizens. He made a restaurant dedicated to such patriotism. "How he served all american food" and had it commemorating former U.S. presidents with colors red, white, and blue throughout the restaurant.

Feel: Good job for you. You stood up for what you thought was wrong and won. As a result he got to keep his house. I also feel it was messed up that he would have to fight for his house to begin with.

Wonder: Why did he feel the need to be so patriotic for the country in the beginning of his life? Also how he viewed America after they tried to take his home away.

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Matt Rose

1/7/2015 11:18:25 pm

This reading reminded me of most of the earlier stories we have read, where the U.S started to pick and bully on a certain ethnicity. I am really glad my grandma did not move to the U.S till after the war, which now I fully understand why her and my grandfather waited.
I felt weird that even after this entire conflict happened between Jukichi and the United States, he still stayed in the country and even returned to the house, if I was him I probably would hate the U.S and quickly move back to my original country. I wonder if he just saw the good side of it all and that things will get better and soon enough all of the asian immigrants will be accepted back.

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Piper Tompkins

1/7/2015 11:22:05 pm

I agree completely with your thoughts about how the US always putting people down and bulling certain groups of people.

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Piper Tompkins

1/7/2015 11:18:57 pm

Think: This reading makes me think more in depth to all the wreckage America was causing by throwing all the Japanese Americans away and ripping them out of their lives, when people like Jukichi only wanted to embody the american lifestyle.
Feel: It made me feel guilty for all that America has done to cause such humility towards the Japanese, when all they wanted is to be citizens and have a better life.
Wonder: I wonder if there could have been a better way that America dealt with this situation, maybe it not happening at all in the first place. Whenever I read a story like this I wonder how so many Americans turned a blind eye to what was actually going on.

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Vanessa I

1/8/2015 12:18:32 am

I also agree I feel that America could have dealt with the Japanese a better way, they are human beings after all

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Noah Legier

1/7/2015 11:58:52 pm

I think jakichi's story is very inspiring. It shows me that no matter how hard things get or how much you are isolated as a culture, you can still keep your dignity and thats all you need. It shows me that you need to know when to throw in the towel, and it wasnt anytime soon for Jakuchi and his family, he fought for his home and to be a loyal citizen in america. Jakuchi is just about as american as anybody else. After all being american isnt an ethnicity its a collective of them.

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Edwin Herrera

1/8/2015 12:00:13 am

Think: After reading this, I felt like dang, savage. It just goes to show that even when people are devoted to their nation or country. Others will fear them due to their ethnicity.

Feel: I feel that this still happens now, it's obvious but this reminded me of the police brutality that has been going on. It raises the question that is, did they really deserve that because in police brutality there has been deaths and there isn't a sense of justice.

Wonder: Did the government have an involvement with this racial discrimination or implementing prejudice thoughts.

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Vanessa I

1/8/2015 12:16:06 am

When I read this it made me think of all the hardships that not only the Hamada family had to go through but all the Japanese,Asians,and phillipenos had to face. It's also made me think about how they were able to be persecuted by the people of the town. Although they hamda family had to go through this the family was able to prosper in ther business of their restaurant and the whole family was able to support each other. In the beg fining when they had introduced e Hamada family they had said that the father was always supporting the country of America and even held parties and festivals at his "all American food restaurants. Even though he supported the country of America the town of the whites couldn't put up with it and not support them because of their race. When I had read this part of the story I'm always thought that the time of prejudice times are always mentioning the African Americans, but when I hear stories such as this and the prosecution of not only African Americans but also other races and that each race that seemed to be different or a threat had to go throught these hard times. It made me feel that not only some but many of our ancestors of the past had gone through this trial and it's sad how others are not able to get along with each other because they are supposedly labeled as "different". It made me wonder how come people aren't able to accept each other and their differences? It also made me wonder in this case why did they even persecute the Japanese that lived in America ?

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srdja

1/8/2015 12:28:59 am

Think: The story we read reveal a great story about immigrants and their situation in US. Everyone strugled at the begining but this Japanese family sucseeded and manage to buy house in the white neighborhood. I think that white people were afraid that other races will take a place on the throne of the country. They tried everything to stop them.

Feel: description of the starting of the business and struggles is really inspirating. I feel that this story has message to everyone.nothing is impossible. You can start from nothing and build something in cruel world.

Wonder: I wonder how would Asian people and other races act if they were at the 'throne of the states in that time?

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Allison Hopkins

1/8/2015 12:38:14 am

Think: I think that it was really sad for that family because they had fought so hard for this house and won just to be taken away from it. Every Asian emigrant was taken in, they weren't excluded even though the community and the judge knew that they were not a threat.

Feel: I feel that this was/is really unfair to them and the other emigrant that had proved they were a part of the community and cared about America but we're still taken from their homes and shops that they had worked so hard for.

Wonder: I wonder how many people really deserved to be taken away like that and how many people/family's were loyal and dedicated like this one.

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Niklas

1/8/2015 12:55:51 am

Reading the short story "The House on Lemon street" made me think about America itself.
Being based on the United states working for democracy and a certain type of right you would think they would never have done something - by them described as cruel.
This story written from the viewpoint of a Japanese immigrant who made a family in the United states show the direct opposite.

Through the story being written from the perspective of an affected person, you feel depressed by the situation the narrator is in.

I wondered why nobody was plying for the Japanese minorities in America, just as America did in other nations.

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Benjamin Rose

1/8/2015 03:20:54 am

What I really find amazing about this is how hypocritical the United States is as a country. First, there was slavery and continued racism against black people. Then there was the internment of all persons of Japanese ancestry, no matter if they were citizens or not. In a country in which all people are supposed to be equal under the law, in which discrimination is not meant to occur. In a country which was supposedly founded on the principles of liberty and equality, every day there are violations of this liberty and equality. Finally, today, we're starting to change our antiquated stereotypes that we, as a country, hold. In the 1960's, legal discrimination against black people was ended. There are still other forms of legally-endorsed discrimination such as profiling and similar things. What's incredible, however, is how many years it takes for these various forms of persecution to end. Our laws are full of loopholes, and our country full of people ready to take advantage of them. When will we be a truly equal society?

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Nathan Tomczak

1/8/2015 03:57:02 am

Thinking: This reading gave me a lot of thoughts it made me think about how America was demolishing the jappaneis american lives, when people like Jukichi just wanted to live the american lifestyle.
Feel: I felt a lot of feelings mostly the feeling of wanting more knoledge because i had trouble picking a side.
Wonder: I wonder if america didnt close of the japenise a treat them the way we did maybe we would be speaking japaneese right now or maybe there was a spy the cought